| Taken inside the CofGa Savannah trainshed. The "Savannah" was originally named MARCO POLO, was built in 1927 by Pullman to be part of its general pool for rental service. Franklin Delano Roosevelt first used the car when he was governor of New York, then had it leased by the U. S. Government for his continued use in the early years of his presidency. Bars used by him to assist in moving around in the car were preserved by the Central of Georgia when the car was rebuilt in the Savannah Coach Shop to become the Office Car SAVANNAH. When Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, wife of China's war time president, toured the U.S., the car was assigned to her. When she visited her alma mater, Wesleyan College in Macon, GA, the car was carried on a special train of the Central of Georgia. The Central of Georgia bought the car in 1944. he car is presently located in the Washington, DC train station and presumably used by Norfolk Southern to entertain guests. CENTRAL OF GEORGIA and the name SAVANNAH have been removed, replaced with PULLMAN and MARCO POLO respectively. |